Before You Sign: Commercial Roofer Verification Checklist
Key Takeaways
- Complete this checklist before signing any commercial roofing contract
- Licensing is the minimum threshold, not the complete evaluation
- Business stability indicators matter as much as technical qualifications
- Warranty value depends on contractor permanence
- Document your verification process for future reference
Licensing Verification
Complete these items through the CSLB verification process:
- License number obtained and recorded
- License status confirmed as active
- C-39 classification verified
- License issue date noted
- Bond status confirmed current
- Workers' compensation insurance confirmed
- Complaint history reviewed
- Disciplinary actions checked
Notes field: Record license number, expiration date, and any concerns.
Business Stability Assessment
Evaluate business permanence indicators:
- Years in continuous business operation: _____
- Business address type: Commercial office / Home-based / Virtual
- Physical office location verified
- Ownership stability confirmed (same ownership throughout stated history)
- Permanent staff employed beyond field crews
- Equipment ownership verified
- Secretary of State business registration checked
Red flags to note:
- Recent business name changes
- Multiple business entities under similar names
- Address inconsistencies between sources
- Inability to provide specific business history
Insurance Verification
Request and verify insurance certificates:
- General liability insurance certificate received
- Coverage amount: $_______________
- Policy expiration date: _____________
- Workers' compensation certificate received
- Your entity listed as certificate holder
- Insurance carrier contacted to verify coverage
Minimum recommended coverage:
- General liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Workers' compensation: Statutory limits
Reference Evaluation
Gather and contact references:
- Three or more commercial project references obtained
- At least one reference from a project 5+ years old
- References contacted directly (not just letters provided)
Reference questions to ask:
- Was the project completed on time and as specified?
- Were there any problems during installation?
- Have you needed warranty service? If so, how was it handled?
- Would you hire this contractor again?
- Did the contractor maintain good communication?
Reference notes:
| Project | Age | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Warranty Terms Review
Evaluate warranty enforceability:
- Workmanship warranty duration: _____ years
- Manufacturer material warranty duration: _____ years
- Warranty exclusions reviewed and understood
- Maintenance requirements documented
- Claim process explained
- Warranty transferability confirmed
- Written warranty document provided for review
Questions to clarify:
- What specifically is covered vs excluded?
- What maintenance is required to preserve coverage?
- How are claims submitted and processed?
- What happens if the company changes ownership?
Contract Checklist
Before signing, verify contract includes:
- Complete scope of work specification
- Material specifications with manufacturer and product names
- Project timeline with start and completion dates
- Total price and payment schedule
- Permit responsibility assigned
- Change order process defined
- Warranty terms included in writing
- Insurance certificate requirements
- Cleanup and site restoration terms
- Dispute resolution process
Review Questions to Ask Before Signing for additional considerations.
Final Decision Factors
Weight these factors in your decision:
High importance:
- License status and history
- Business stability (years operating, office presence, staff)
- Reference quality (especially older projects with warranty service)
- Warranty terms and contractor's ability to honor them
Medium importance:
- Price competitiveness (within reasonable range of qualified bids)
- Communication quality during evaluation
- Response time and professionalism
Lower importance:
- Lowest price (when significantly below qualified competitors)
- Marketing materials and website quality
- Awards and certifications (verify if cited)
Completion notes:
Date checklist completed: _____________
Contractor evaluated: _____________
Decision: Accept / Reject / Need more information
Key factors in decision:
Store this completed checklist with your roofing project records for future reference and warranty documentation.